Art was a Kappa Phi active when I pledged at Lamar
University (then Lamar Tech) Art and we did not really begin
to know each other until last year as we prepared for the
reunion. Yes, I knew Art, but when you are a pledge you may
not get to know the actives that well. The one thing that I do
well remember was his wife, Tommie. We all learned quickly
what a real lady she was and how lucky Art was to have her.
One of my major connections was with my sister, Vivien
Powers; who was one of Epsilon Chi's first Sigma Chi
Sweetheart nominees, along with Tommie
A salute to Brother Art by:
Don Henderson; Epsilon Chi '62
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My wife and I were able to attend Art's memorial service in
Nederland and we spoke with Tommie. She related to us that
Art was given a choice. "Do this procedure for your heart
and have a chance to be somewhat normal. Don't do it and
you will be an invalid." Tommie said, "You know what Art's
choice was." He never woke up and went to be with the Lord
three days later.
Art and I had several conversations via email and phone
before and after the reunion. Art told me how he had
become much closer to God in 2010. He and his church
choir were practicing for their Christmas program and he
was going to go home, but decided to stay awhile. (I may not
be telling this exactly as it happened) He ended up having a
heart attack and the ambulance (because he had not gone
home when he started to) was able to get there quickly. He
said if he had gone home he would probably not have been
found until it was too late. He told me, "God had other plans
for me." He said he actually died and had to be revived. He
was taken to the hospital and they quickly did by pass
surgery. Art told me that God gave him a another chance. At
the reunion Art seemed fine, but Tommie said his weak heart
caught up with him. Thank you, God that you allowed us to
have some great conversations with Art over the years and
thank you God for giving him a great wife.
Brother Don Henderson
Epsilon Chi '62
"He that hopes hereafter to look back with
satisfaction upon past years, must learn to
know the present value of single minutes."
Samuel Johnson